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A Deep Exploration into Public Power for Pittsburg

Over the last two years the City has been exploring different electricity options, including public power. Now, we want to conduct a more detailed independent analysis into the feasibility and viability of bringing public power to Pittsburg.

Our initial study and extensive research have highlighted some potential benefits of public power for our community and local businesses, including:

What is public power?

Public power electric utilities are not-for-profit organizations which are run by your local government and owned by the community.In Pittsburg, we have three public utilities – water, stormwater, and sewer. We are looking at adding a fourth public utility, electricity. This business model is referred to as public power. For more information on what public power is and the benefits of public power click below.

What Made The City Think About Public Power?

A couple of years ago, we noticed the City’s electricity costs increasing at a rate we could not sustain without introducing tax increases.

At the same time, we were speaking to businesses who were considering locating in Pittsburg, and high electricity rates were a deterrent to these businesses – our rates are higher than all our adjoining states.

Oklahoma rates are 27% lower than Kansas rates

Arkansas rates are 29% lower than Kansas rates

Missouri rates are 29% lower than Kansas rates

There is even a movement dedicated to getting more affordable energy for Kansas. We have also had numerous enquiries from citizens about frequent rate increases and expressions of financial concern about the overall cost of electricity.

What Has The City Done So Far?

Over the last two years, we have met numerous times with our current provider, local stakeholders, large electricity users such as USD 250, Via Christi Hospital and Pittsburg State University, power suppliers, other communities in Kansas and potential partners.

These groups referred us to additional stakeholders who we’ve met with as we explored multiple paths looking at different electricity options that might improve reliability, stabilize costs and make Pittsburg a more attractive place for businesses and citizens.

What Did We Learn?

We learned that Kansas state statutes provide a clear path to creating a public power utility. We also learned that if we create a public power utility we will be outside of the regulation of the Kansas Corporation Commission and will be able to purchase power from many different sources or generate power ourselves. Based on the recommendation of local stakeholders, our City Commission and others, we finally undertook an feasibility study into public power.

What’s Next?

This comprehensive and deliberate approach has brought us to where we are today, which is the recommendation that we need to take the next logical step and undertake an in-depth analysis into the option of public power on behalf of the citizens, businesses and industries of Pittsburg.

An In-Depth Analysis of the Feasibility of Public Power

Our next step requires that we engage a qualified, experienced team to conduct negotiations and the detailed analysis of technical, legal and financial aspects involved in creating a public power utility for Pittsburg.

This expert team, alongside external partners, will further explore and analyze the economic viability, benefits and risks of public power and answer the outstanding questions that we cannot answer ourselves. The team will also walk us through the steps that will be necessary if we choose to establish a public power utility, and provide projections of operational and financial needs into the future.

What If Public Power Isn’t an Option?

Even if we find that public power isn’t a feasible option, the information we uncover will still be valuable. That’s because we’ll have the facts we need to make the best decision for our community, as well as potential alternative solutions and the negotiating advantage we need with our electricity partner.

Looking at all the information and data we have gathered so far, we believe that bringing a public power utility to Pittsburg is a crucial decision that could positively impact our whole community in both the short and long term. We can take control of and improve our city’s economic growth, provide alternatives to our citizens, stabilize electricity costs for all households and businesses in Pittsburg, keep wealth in the community, and set the stage for a better future.

Is Public Power A Popular Option?

Public Power is nothing new. In fact, 118 communities in Kansas like ours use public power electricity utilities. And more than 49 million people nationwide use public power utilities.

When it comes to reliability, these case studies show customers of public power utilities lose power less often, and are without power for less than 1 hour per year on average. We’ve created a page of information on public power with information and statistics provided by third parties including the American Public Power Association. Read to learn more.